One theoretical recommendation to develop sustainable rural tourism is to base its development on local resources. This should embed the tourist activity into the local society, avoid easy relocalization ... [more ▼]

One theoretical recommendation to develop sustainable rural tourism is to base its development on local resources. This should embed the tourist activity into the local society, avoid easy relocalization of investment, and help to brand the destination. The Belgian Ardennes is a proximate recreational location for Dutch people. The paper lists the local resources that attract Dutch tourists and the ways in which regional and local authorities deal with this tourist development. Based on key actor interviews and in depth analysis of the promotional material produced both by authorities and commercial companies, the paper underlines the hotchpotch of ways used in selling and consuming the Ardennes. Due to the lack of local entrepreneurship and because the Dutch tourism enterprises have better knowledge of the Dutch market, these enterprises control a huge share of tourism activities in the Ardennes. These Dutch investments change the destination as well as the local identity. Initially, Dutch companies developed a form of tourism based on nature and the rural landscape, but they diversified their activities into non land based tourism (not involving the use of land as in agriculture hors sol) and the ‘disneyfication’ of places. This Belgian case study follows more or less the well known ‘tourist destination life cycle model’, but the originality of the paper is to stress the difficulties posed for authorities to regulate tourism development and to maintain the quality of the destination. [less ▲]

In the northwest European countryside, diversification is a common option in order to preserve a viable agricultural business, because many farmers have to restructure their activities to meet increasing ... [more ▼]

In the northwest European countryside, diversification is a common option in order to preserve a viable agricultural business, because many farmers have to restructure their activities to meet increasing pressures. Many choose a tourism business as a means of diversification. This chapter investigates the reasons for choosing farm tourism as a means of diversification, in order to examine the supply dimension of agritourism development. Some main reasons have been highlighted in the literature. Economic and financial factors like sourcing new income and employment, stability against agricultural market fluctuations or better use of farm resources, are often the first motivations to be mentioned. Also significant are social and external factors like sharing experiences, awareness of the success of other farmers, meeting people, educating the public and consumers, and personal interest as a hobby. Reasons for choosing tourism as a form of diversification may change over time, differ according to the characteristics of the farm, its development and its environment, or depend on gender. This chapter uses data from interviews conducted in agritourism accommodation premises in Wallonia and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg to explore these motivations. The research is based on a content analysis aimed at a graphical representation of motivations using an adapted actantian model: a multi-scale analysis is used identifying the factors that support and constrain such motivations. The primary motivation stresses the response to a market opportunity; the potential to assign unused farm buildings to new purposes was also observed. Moreover it is shown that entrepreneurship and opportunities become as important as development based on survival of the farm. [less ▲]

Based on evidence from nine countries (UK, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Croatia, Slovenia, and Ireland), this special issue analyses the fabrics of farm tourism in Europe. It identifies two ... [more ▼]

Based on evidence from nine countries (UK, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Croatia, Slovenia, and Ireland), this special issue analyses the fabrics of farm tourism in Europe. It identifies two main development trends: on one hand, a small scale and dispersed activities, at the other hand a product in response to tourist market demand. A brief overview of existing farm tourism practices in the European rural areas indicated an interesting interface between the forms and dimension of farm tourism embeddedness in local environment and at the same time, the ways and range of internationalization of farm tourism business. [less ▲]

Based on evidence from nine countries (UK, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Croatia, Slovenia, and Ireland), this special issue analyses the fabrics of farm tourism in Europe. It identifies two ... [more ▼]

Based on evidence from nine countries (UK, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Croatia, Slovenia, and Ireland), this special issue analyses the fabrics of farm tourism in Europe. It identifies two main development trends: on one hand, a small scale and dispersed activities, at the other hand a product in response to tourist market demand. A brief overview of existing farm tourism practices in the European rural areas indicated an interesting interface between the forms and dimension of farm tourism embeddedness in local environment and at the same time, the ways and range of internationalization of farm tourism business. [less ▲]

With its marginal practices and diversified services, agritourism is a complex subject of study. In some European rural areas it is seen as a smart diversification solution. Even though agritourism is ... [more ▼]

With its marginal practices and diversified services, agritourism is a complex subject of study. In some European rural areas it is seen as a smart diversification solution. Even though agritourism is rather weak on the Walloon tourist market level, it is important for farmers for whom it is often a means of supplementary income. Based on crossed data concerning potential tourists, local tenants, privileged witnesses and promotional information, the position of agritourism on the Walloon tourist market is analysed. It is shown that agritourism is a multiple micro-niche market primarily complementary to other sources of tourist supply. This paper underscores how the assets of demand, of the region and of the farm all shape agritourist diversification. Instead of providing a standardized well-known product, agritourism in Wallonia is richly diverse, which creates difficulties in branding this tourist market sector. [less ▲]

The paper questions the diversity of perceiving Belgian landscapes. It investigates whether hypotheses deducted from a broad national survey could be further clarified and validated by means of ... [more ▼]

The paper questions the diversity of perceiving Belgian landscapes. It investigates whether hypotheses deducted from a broad national survey could be further clarified and validated by means of qualitative research. The research also lays the foundations of a new typology of Belgian ordinary landscapes. [less ▲]

The bilateral research project between the Republic of Slovenia and Wallonie Bruxelles Internationale“Development Factors of Agritourism: Comparison Between Slovenia and Walloon Region” (L´agrotourisme ... [more ▼]

The bilateral research project between the Republic of Slovenia and Wallonie Bruxelles Internationale“Development Factors of Agritourism: Comparison Between Slovenia and Walloon Region” (L´agrotourisme, son fonctionnement et son rôle dans le développement local en Wallonie et Slovénie aujourd´hui et demain; Dejavnikirazvojaturizmanakmetiji: primerjava med Slovenijo in Valonijo; 2010-2012) was focused on agritourism in order to illustrate how sustainable development thinking can be applied when addressing the problems of the rural areas. It aimed as well to rethink agritourism development according to its embeddeness in order to enlighten the question which form of agritourism is suitable to which rural area and vice-versa. At the same time, agritourism is shaping and is being re-shaped by the internationalization of tourism market. [less ▲]

Marginal practices composed by diversified services, agritourism remains a complex subject of study in some European rural areas where it is clamed as a smart solution of diversification. Even if the ... [more ▼]

Marginal practices composed by diversified services, agritourism remains a complex subject of study in some European rural areas where it is clamed as a smart solution of diversification. Even if the phenomenon is quite weak on the Walloon tourist market, it is important from the point of view of farmers for who agritourism is a mean of supplementary incomes. Based on crossed informations and data coming from surveys of potential tourists carried out in tourist poles, life-histories of local tenants and interviews of privileged witnesses as well as content analysis of promotional folders and websites, the position of agritourism on the Walloon tourist market is analysed. It is showed firstly that agritourism is a niche market, which risk dissociating itself from the first pathway if the links between the farm and the tourism continue to weaken. Most of the time agritourism is complementary to other tourist offers but it can also compete with some other forms of tourism in particular cases. Furthermore the demand influences agritourism development through different images and representations that may go off the agricultural practices than with which farmers need to adapt their activities. Finally, different diversifications are developed according to geographic settings. [less ▲]

Set up by the University of Liège, ORBi (Open Repository and Bibliography) knew a lightning increase of the online posted references since its creation in 2008. The official launch took place on November ... [more ▼]

Set up by the University of Liège, ORBi (Open Repository and Bibliography) knew a lightning increase of the online posted references since its creation in 2008. The official launch took place on November 26th, 2008 and after considerable efforts on behalf of the team which manages the tool, and researchers who introduce themselves their publications, the contents of the repository managed to reach a value of 64245 references among which 38670 with full text. Working for the Library of Geography of the University of Liege, I found interesting to analyze the number of visualizations and downloads of the references (2005 to 2007) posted online by the ULg geographer’s, and the population interested in this literature. The highlight is on WHO and WHERE are the internet users visualizing and downloading ORBi references from? In order to detect the population using this scientific literature, we analyzed the user IP and their distribution in the world. The data was obtained from a MaxMind database. The type of population using this scientific literature: researchers, individuals, public or private companies was also determined. [less ▲]

Due to recent evolutions- increases in global raw material prices and the growing awareness of global warming, several countries have embraced the development of renewable power production. Because these ... [more ▼]

Due to recent evolutions- increases in global raw material prices and the growing awareness of global warming, several countries have embraced the development of renewable power production. Because these facilities often require a lot of space, they are located in the countryside. This paper focuses on wind energy development in the Belgian countryside, a densely populated area in Western Europe. It presents the results of the Lacsawep research project that examined how Belgian citizens in different contexts perceive wind farm projects. Attitudes toward wind farms in Belgium are based on several sources of information: word of mouth; public announcements by local government and project managers; and the regional, national, or international media. Citizens hardly analyse the mishmash of pro- and contra- information. The discourses shaping attitudes toward wind farms are a compendium of physical annoyances, economic arguments, symbolic preferences, and critiques of decision-making processes. [less ▲]

Ethnic tourism is a form of tourism consisting of visiting places to discover communities who live differently. First, the paper defines ethnic tourism, including its relations to cultural tourism ... [more ▼]

Ethnic tourism is a form of tourism consisting of visiting places to discover communities who live differently. First, the paper defines ethnic tourism, including its relations to cultural tourism. Secondly, it analyses the multiple uses of the expression “Ethnic tourism” on the World Wide Web. More than eighties tourism destinations are listed. These destinations are localised in all continents. Four types of tourism products according to the involvement of the guest in the local life are pointed. This typology is enriched by a tool analysing the position of the stakeholders in the instrumentalization of authenticity. [less ▲]

What should remain of research and discussions (especially in the French humanistic geography) concerning human territoriality from a place management perspective? The paper suggests a voluntary biased ... [more ▼]

What should remain of research and discussions (especially in the French humanistic geography) concerning human territoriality from a place management perspective? The paper suggests a voluntary biased synthesis as well as several tools to help beginner geographers or non geographers to grasp the main points and to revisit their views. [less ▲]

in Girardot, J-J.; Devillet, G. (Eds.) Papers of the 10th Annual International Conference of Territorial Intelligence of INTI “Territorial Intelligence and Sustainable economics within the new culture of development (2011, September)

The resources of the rural countryside in Europe are subject to many pressures and the difficulties arising in many rural areas somehow jeopardise the agriculture: agricultural activities are decreasing ... [more ▼]

The resources of the rural countryside in Europe are subject to many pressures and the difficulties arising in many rural areas somehow jeopardise the agriculture: agricultural activities are decreasing and farmers are losing importance. The consequences of a reduction or even disappearance of the agricultural activity are varied and refer to social, economic, cultural and environmental domains like the disappearance of activities and services in rural area, the loss of a rural identity or impacts on particular landscapes. Difficulties relate to the pressures exerted on farmers: pressures due to the world competition, to the evolution from the spread of suburbanisation, to the tendency of young people to leave rural life, to transport problems in the rural areas. The socio-ecological transition may be seen as a track of diversification in farming activities. One of the solutions aiming to improve the rural economy in accordance with its natural and cultural heritages is the development of farm tourism also seen as a means for rural communities to link producers and consumers again strengthening the social capital. Agritourism is a soft form of tourism, which aims to promote the rural capital and which, by supporting the regional development, helps to improve the income of the regional population. It includes different types of accommodations (such as guest farm, bed and breakfast or camping on the farm) and multiple activities in rural areas through which the visitor has the opportunity to become acquainted with agricultural areas, agricultural occupations, local products, traditional cuisine and daily life, as well as with the cultural elements and the authentic features of the area, while showing respect for the environment and the tradition. Agritourism brings visitors closer to nature and rural activities in which they can participate. This form of tourism fits with new expectations as regards environmental, patrimonial and social matters of tourists in Europe. The lecture compares agritourism in the Walloon Region and in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, bordering regions which share a common aim to develop both a differentiated agriculture and a sustainable agritourism. The research develops a combination of several complementary procedures and tools: international comparison, on-site investigations near the stakeholders concerned by agritourism of which agritourist offer investigations near local tenants and farmers and agritourist demand investigations to potential customers, without forget investigations near organizations and institutions that attempt to influence its development, This lecture presents a kind of economic diversification, agritourism, of farms aiming to provide a global and integrated vision. Problems encounter because of the diversity of resources (infrastructures, goods and services) and stakeholders involved in multiple relations (tourists, tour operators, host community members, various organizations, industries...) imply innovative agritourist adaptations concerned by a tourist qualitative and wellbeing search. It proposes to define the necessary characteristic of the countryside, the ressources, to develop agritourism and to examine disparities of the agritourist developement, and to establish a typology of the countryside more or less favourable to its emergence, its development and its success taking into account the various forms of agritourism in Europe. It enlightens the general question entitled "Which countrysides for which agritourisms?”. The objective is thus to think an agritourism both thought out according to the paradigm of sustainable development, and conforming to the principles the ecological economy. [less ▲]